Geographic Information System or GIS is technology that offers a radically different way in which we produce and use the maps required to manage our communities and industries. GIS is a computer system capable of capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying geographically referenced information; that is, data identified according to location. Practitioners also define a GIS as including the procedures, operating personnel, and spatial data that go into the system. A GIS creates intelligent super maps through which sophisticated planning and analysis can be performed at the touch of a button.

Long ago, when a map was needed, draftspersons, geographers and a crew of surveyors would combine their resources and develop a map on paper. Today, it can be drawn (raster-to-vector translation) on a computer screen using a Computer Aided Drafting (CAD), ArcMap, ArcGIS or other mapping software program. The program is then connected to a database containing a variety of detailed information related to items on the map. Updates are made quickly and conveniently. The entire map, or just portions of it, may be selected to be printed on a plotter.

The key advantage to GIS is the ability to share maps. State and federal agencies, along with utility companies, which create their own respective maps, can, for example, share maps with each other. This not only saves money, but provides the ability to create hundreds of new maps, many of which never existed before, for minimal cost.

SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) is a category of software application program for analysis and process control, the gathering of data in real time from remote locations in order to control equipment and conditions. SCADA is used in power plants as well as in oil and gas refining, telecommunications, transportation, and water and waste control infrastructure/government fields.

For example, gas pipeline companies use SCADA in the region containing real-time information on gas flow, pipeline pressures, sections under repair, alternative pipeline routings, and the location and dispatch of service crews.

GPS — Global Positioning Service

Global Positioning System, or GPS, is a network of 24 satellites equipped with accurate position measuring telemetry gear used commercially, scientifically, and privately to determine exact position and used for Earth-related studies. GPS currently is the only fully-functional satellite navigation system and determines the receivers location, speed and direction.

A GPS receiver calculates its position by measuring the distance between itself and three or more GPS satellites. Armed with inexpensive GPS receivers, for example, utility service crews can be quickly dispatched to the location of underground utilities in need of repair. And the interface of GIS and GPS has resulted in a steady stream of new applications on an ongoing basis.

Today there are thousands of geospatial applications in use. Organizations, agencies and companies throughout the world are using the technology to transform manually produced maps and associated descriptive records into powerful digital databases. Once a tool that was affordable only to the largest organizations, geospatial systems have become a cost-effective option for even the smallest organizations.

Government agencies rely on this technology to plan new land developments, determine tax valuations, manage public works networks, route emergency vehicles, analyze crime and accident patterns, manage transportation systems and study environmental issues. Telecommunications companies find it invaluable as they seek a competitive edge in the management of outside plant facilities and in the marketing of long distance services. Utility companies use it to model distribution networks, issue work orders, dispatch service crews, market to prospective customers and plan service expansions. Businesses use it to make decisions about locating new outlets and facilities, targeting customers more effectively and determining the impact of new or potential competitors.

Most information managed by businesses is somehow connected to a specific location such as, an address, street, intersection, or "xy" coordinate. Geospatial technology is finding its way into every corner of the business world, because the technology is so widespread and diverse, the geospatial market is growing at an enormous rate.

Satellite Imaging Corporation combines orthorectified satellite images and digital aerial photography mosaics with extracted vector and client-supplied attribute data to create single, data-rich images for GIS and other mapping applications to achieve a multi-layered result for many types of analysis.

With over a decade of experience in acquiring satellite images and airborne-sensed data, (SIC) provides top quality satellite images and other remote sensing products, Geographic Information System (GIS) projects and consultancy services. Satellite Imaging Corporation is equipped to negotiate for and appropriate high-resolution satellite images, as well as enhance satellite image data to create accurate, interactive mapping projects.

Our imaging, Geographic Information System (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS) and geodesy experts are experienced in extracting, manipulating and supplementing satellite images and imaging data. These projects provide invaluable information to a broad spectrum of industries.